Renewed War on Drugs, harsher charging policies, stepped-up criminalization of immigrants — in the current climate, joining the NACDL is more important than ever. Members of NACDL help to support the only national organization working at all levels of government to ensure that the voice of the defense bar is heard.
Take a stand for a fair, rational, and humane criminal legal system
Contact members of congress, sign petitions, and more
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NACDL is committed to enhancing the capacity of the criminal defense bar to safeguard fundamental constitutional rights.
NACDL harnesses the unique perspectives of NACDL members to advocate for policy and practice improvements in the criminal legal system.
NACDL envisions a society where all individuals receive fair, rational, and humane treatment within the criminal legal system.
NACDL’s mission is to serve as a leader, alongside diverse coalitions, in identifying and reforming flaws and inequities in the criminal legal system, and redressing systemic racism, and ensuring that its members and others in the criminal defense bar are fully equipped to serve all accused persons at the highest level.
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NACDL’s unique State Criminal Justice Network (SCJN) provides a medium to exchange information, share resources, and develop strategies for promoting rational and humane criminal justice policies. In addition, it seeks to educate the general public about the many issues that influence, and policies that affect the criminal justice system. As a result, the Network does not require membership in the organization.
To join the Network, go to nacdl.org/JoinSCJN.
The NACDL Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award recognizes an individual or group whose exceptional efforts have led toward progressive reform of a state criminal justice system.
NACDL's State Criminal Justice Network Newsletter features a snapshot of NACDL's state criminal justice priorities, as well as recent internal and external reports, information on upcoming events, webinars, current state legislative reform efforts, legislative tracking, action alerts and more! The newsletter is disseminated monthly via email.
NACDL monitors legislation related to over 15 criminal justice issues in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The information in this map is updated daily, providing a snapshot of bills impacting NACDL's criminal justice reform priorities.
NACDL is committed to serving as a partner with our state affiliates, state advocacy groups and partner organizations to promote criminal justice reform at the state level. See the resources below to learn how NACDL can assist with preparing your membership for legislative relationship building, planning & executing legislative outreach events, advocacy day prep, online advocacy issue support and more!
NACDL is working with a coalition of advocates to end life without parole sentencing for youth in Michigan.
NACDL advocated for reentry reforms and investment in reentry services.
NACDL continues to work with state partners in support of discovery reform in New York.
NACDL continues to work to combat misinformation and pushback to key bail reforms enacted in New York.
NACDL supports legislative efforts to strengthen "good time" and "merit time" legislation in New York.
NACDL supports legislation to reduce the number of mandatory minimum laws and restore judicial discretion in sentencing.
See the various issues on which NACDL has conducted criminal justice advocacy in Texas.
NACDL opposed an executive order in Texas to restrict mechanisms of release and suspend speedy trial protections.
Letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul in support of legislative efforts in New York that seek to abolish mandatory minimums, allow judges to reconsider excessive sentences after a specified amount of time, and strengthen "good time" and "merit time" laws in order to mitigate the drivers and consequences of the trial penalty.
NACDL is a coalition partner of Fully Free: The Campaign to End Permanent Punishments. The campaign works to dismantle "the prison after the prison," the long-lasting barriers to housing, employment, education, civic engagement, and more for people with criminal records in Illinois.
NACDL’s unique State Criminal Justice Network (SCJN) provides a medium to exchange information, share resources, and develop strategies for promoting rational and humane criminal justice policies. In addition, it seeks to educate the general public about the many issues that influence, and policies that affect the criminal justice system. As a result, the Network does not require membership in the organization.